Apparatus for the electrolytical separation and deposition of metals



(No Model.) MO'EBIUS' 16 Sheets-Sheet 1. I

APPARATUS FOR. THE ELEGTROLYTIGAL SEPARATION AND DEPOSITION 0F METALS.

No. 310,533. A Patented Jan. 6, 18 85.

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(No Model.) 1e Sheets-Sheet 2.

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APPARATUS FOR THE BLEGTROLYTIOAL SEPARATION AND DEPOSITION 0F METALS.

No; 310,533. Patented Jan. 6, 1885.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

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MOEBIUS. APPARATUS FOR-THE BLEGTROLYTIGAL SEPARATION AND all,

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BY my DEPOSITION 0E METALS. No. 310,533. Patented Jan. 6, 1885.

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(No Model.) 16 Sheets-Sheet 4. B. MOEBIUS.

APPARATUS FOR THE BLEGTROLYTIOAL SEPARATION AND DEPOSITION 0F METALS.

No. 310,533. P a nted Jan.6,1885.

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(No Model.) I 16 SheetS-Shet 5.

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APPARATUS FOR THE ELEGTROLYTIGAL SEPARATION AND DEPOSITION 0P METALS.

No. 310,53 Wfii In If WITNESSE IMAM-0A ATTORNEYS.

\(No Model.) 16 Sheets'Sheet 6.

B. MOEBIUS. APPARATUS FOR THE ELEGTROLYTIGAL SEPARATION AND DEPOSITION. 0P METALS.

No. 810,533. Patented Jan. 6, 1885.-

INVENTOR N. PETERS 'Fhntwlilhogmpher. Wnsllinglom 0v (2.

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B. MOEBIUS. V APPARATUS EOE THE ELEGTEOLYTIGAL SEPARATION AND DEPOSITION 0F METALS. No. 310,533. Patented Jan. 6,1885.

WITNESSES I INVENTOR ,JQYW A BY; M W

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B. MOEBIUS. APPARATUS FOR TEE ELESTEOLYTTSAE SEPARATION AND DEPOSITION 0P METALS.

Patented J 6, 1885.

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B. MOEBIUS. APPARATUS FOR THE ELEGTROLYTIGAL SEPARATION AND DEPOSITION 0F METALS.

No. 610,533. Patented Jan. 6, 1885.

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APPARATUS FOR THE ELEGTROLYTIUAL SEPARATION AND DEPOSITION 0P METALS.

ed J n. 6*, 1885.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR IV] T m T V W ma 7/ ATTORNEYS.

(No Mbdel 16 SheetsSheet 11.

B. MOEBIUS. APPARATUS FOR THE ELEGTROLYTIGAL SEPARATION AND DEPOSITIGN OP METALS. N0. 310 533. tente 6, 1885.

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(No Model.) 16 Sheets-Sheet. 12.

B. MOEBIUS. APPARATUS FOR THE ELEOTROLYTIOAL SEPARATION AND DEPOSITION 0F METALS.

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No. 310,533. J2

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16 SheetsSheet v13. B. MOEBIUS.

APPARATUS FOR THE ELEOTROLYTIGAL SEPARATION AND DEPOSITION OP METALS.

Patented Jan. 6, 1885.

ATTORNEYS.

16 Sheets-Sheet 14.

(No Model.

B. MOEBIUS. APPARATUS FOR THE ELEOTROLYTIOAL SEPARATION AND DEPOSITION OP METALS.

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WITNESSES INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

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(No Model.) 16 Sheets-Sheet 15.

B. MOEBIUS. APPARATUS FOR THE ELEGTROLYTIGAL SEPARATION AND V DEPOSITION OF METALS.

P 1; ted Jan. 6-, 1885.

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BERNARD MOEBIUS, OF CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO, ASSIGNOR OF THREE- EIGHTHS TO \VILLIAM E. POPE, OF ATHENS, GEORGIA.

APPARATUS FOR THE ELECTROLYTICAL SEPARATION AND DEPOSITION F METALS.

ESPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 310,533, dated January 6, 1885.

Application filed February 5, 1384. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, BERNARD MoEBIUs, of Chihuahua, Mexico, have invented a new and Improved Apparatus for the Electrolyticalmeans of electricity, which apparatus, if

slightly modified, can be used in other electrolytical processes for the decomposition of and precipitation of metals by electricity.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming partof this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my new and improved apparatus for the electrolytical separation and deposition of metals. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional elevation of the same, showing the brush-frames and conductors for supporting the anodes and cathodes lowered. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation of the same, showing the brush-frames and conductors for supporting the anodes and cathodes raised. Fig. 4 is an end view of the apparatus, showing the hoisting device. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal elevation of the apparatus, parts being broken out and others shown in section, some of the conductors supporting the anodes and cathodes being raised and others lowered. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal elevation of the apparatus, parts being broken out and others shown in section, showing the bag-frames, anodes,and cathodes raised. Fig. 7 is a sectional plan view of the apparatus in part. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 9 is an enlarged detailed longitudinal sectional elevation of one of the tubs or boxes. Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional elevation of the same. Fig. 11 is a plan view of the same, showing it provided with the brushes. Fig. 12 is a plan view of the same, the brushes being omitted. Fig. 13 is a perspective view of one ofthe frames for holding the bags. Fig. 14 is a longitudinal elevation of the same, showing the manner in which the bags are held, parts being broken out and others shown in section. Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the arrangement of the conductors.

Fig. 16 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of one of the couplings for the conductors, parts being broken out and others shown in section. Fig. 17 is an end view of the same. Fig. 18 is a perspective View of one of the anodes. Fig. 19 is a perspective View of one of the cathodes. Fig. 20 is a side view of the clamp for holding the cathode to the conductingwire. Fig. 21 is an end view of the same. Fig. 22 is a side viewof one of the clamps for holding the anodes to the connecting-wire. Fig. 23 is an end view of the same. Fig. 24

is alongitudinal elevation of one ofthe brushes for cleaning the anodes and cathodes. Fig. 25 is a longitudinal edge view of two of the brushes united. Fig. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the brushes on the line 00 00, Fig. 24. Fig. 27 is a perspective view of two of the tanks, showing them located in the trough containing the water to heat the solution. Fig. 28 is a perspective view of the frame for supporting the brush-holders, this construction beingamodification of the construction shown in the other figures. Fig. 29 is aperspective view of a modified construction of the anodeholcler. Fig. 30 is a perspective view of two brushes, showing them provided with the improved devices for holding them on the bars, and with the improved adjusting-screw. Fig. 31 is a side view of the upper part of one of the brushes.

In refining silver with my improved apparatus the silver to be refined is cast in the form of plates A, each having an outwardlybent lug, A, at each upper corner, as shown in Fig. 18, which plates form the anodes. The cathodes B (shown in Fig. 19) consist of a silver plate, or a copper plate covered with silver, the upper edge of which plate B is bent over the cross-piece of a U-shaped wire, B, having the upper ends of the, shanks bent over horizontally, as shown.

Instead of making the anodes in the form of plates A, having bent lugs A, each anode can consist of a block or bar of silver, as shown in Fig. 29, provided in its upper edge with threaded apertures for receiving the ends of screws A which pass freely through a bar or rod, A, having its ends bent in the manner [G0 shown, so as to rest on the conductors, the bent ends of the bar or red A being slightly recessed to receive the conductors. The screws A are provided at their upper ends with handles a and above the bar A winged nuts a are screwed on the screws A whereby by turning the said nuts the anode can be raised or lowered. The lower parts of the screws A are plated with gold or platinum, and when screwed into the upper edge of the anode A they can be provided with a coating of varnish, to prevent their being acted upon by the solution, The anode-block can have any desired shape; but I prefer to make it in the shape of a fiat rectangular block, as shown in Fig. 29. The anodes A and cathodes B must be held to conducting-wires C and D, respectively, and for the purpose of holding the anodes and cathodes to the conducting-\vires two kinds of clamps are used, the clamps for the cathodes being shown in Figs. 20 and 21 and for the anodes in Figs. 22 and 23. The clamp for the cathodes consists of two rings, E and F, secured to each other at right angles, the bottom part of one ring intersecting the upper part of the other, as shown. The upper ring, F, is provided with a downwardly-inclined notch, slot, or recess, F, for receiving the wire B of the cathodes. The said ring is also pro vided with'abinding-screw, F", for binding the clamp on the said wire B. The bottom ring, E, is provided with a laterally-projecting binding-screw, E, for binding the clamp on the cathode-conductor D.

The clamp for the anodes consists of aring or short piece of tubing, G, provided with two prongs, G, one of which is provided with a bindingscrew, G, for holding the said clamp 011 the angular lug A of an anode. The tube or ring G is also provided with a bindingscrew, G, for binding the clamp on the anodeconductor 0.

The anodes and cathodes form the elements of an electric battery, the solution of which battery is contained in a liquid-proof tank, box, or tub, H, of which a series are placed on a trough-shaped vessel,H, which is adapted to receive the liquid and metals which are spilled by accident. The trough-shaped ves sel H rests on a suitable base, H made of strong timbers, or constructed in any other suitable manner. On the bottom of the trough H steam-pipes H can be arranged, the said pipes being below the tanks H. The pipes are connected with the steam-inlet pipes H and exhaust-pipe H. Boards H extend from the sides of the trough to the outer sides of the tanks, to prevent the escape of steam. By admitting more or less steam into the pipes H", the contents of the tanks H can be heated as may be desired.

The tanks H can bemade of wood, earthenware, or enameled metal. Enameled metal or earthenware must be used where the contents is to be heated. As shown in Fig. 1, four or more boxes or tanks H rest in one troughshaped vessel H, and the said boxes form one section, two such sections being shown in Fig.1.

In each tank or box H a frame, I, Fig. 133, is 1i laced,which is provided with four cornerstandards, I, each provided in its upper end with a notch, l'-, adapted to receive the anodeconduetors O, which conductors can be held within the notch by a pin passed transversely through apertures in the upper part of the standard. The standards are united near their upper ends by horizontal rods 1, which are provided on their upper edges with u p wardlyprojecting pins I,placed at suitable intervals. The side rods, lthat is, those rods parallel with the anode-conductorssupport a frame, J, the end standards, J, of which are provided at the upper ends with notches Jfladapted to receive the annular lugs A, formed on the upper corners of the anodes, the said standards being provided at the upper ends with apertures for passing pins through them to hold the lugs of the anodes in place. The standards J are united by two longitudinal rods, J", which rest on the upper edges of the rods 1 of the frame I. Each anode is held in a frame, J, and is surrounded by a bag, K, made of muslin or other fabric or material that will permit the solution and current to pass through it, through the seams of which bag the bars J" of the frame J are passed for the purpose of holding the bag around the frame Jand the anode in the same. The frame I is surrounded by a larger bag, K, which is provided at its edges with rings or loops K*, through which the pins 1' on the bars I" of the frame I can he passed for the purpose of holding the bag K stretched over the frame I. The bag K is also made of muslin, canvas,or other material which will permit the solution to pass.

ICO

The cathodes are suspended by means of their wires B and the clamps E F from the negative or cathode conductors D, which run at right angles to the cathodes and parallel with the longitudinal axis of each section-that is, parallel with the longitudinal trough H. The positive or anode conductors O, which rest in the notches 1 of the standards I of the frames 1, contained in the tanks or boxes H, run parallel with the conductors D, but are arranged a short distance below the said conductors D and inside of the same. The conductors D are held in transverse boards or strips D, and the conductors O are held in transverse boards or strips 0, the strips 0 resting on the upper edges of the tanks H.

In Fig. 15 the arrangement of the conductors is shown. The electricity enters through the positive vertical conductor which is connected with the first two positive or anode conductors G, which have their ends connected by a cross-bar, C, the opposite ends being disconnected and held in a strip, 0. The ends of the cathode or negative conductors D adjoining the connected ends of the conductors C are disconnected, and are held in a strip, 1). The ends of the negative or cathode conductors 1) above the disconnected ends of the conductors O,held in the strips are united by a cross-rod, D, with which vertical rods D are connected. The positive or anode conductors G or" the next tank H are connected with the vertical conductors D, and the oaththode or negative conductors D are arranged above and outside of' them, the free ends of the said conductors D being above or near these ends of the conductors 0 held to the vertical conductors D. The ends otthe conductors D are againconnected by a rod,D", from which vertical conductors D extend downward, and so on. The conductors of any number of tanks can be connected in this manner,a1nl the several sections can also be connected by con ductors D in the manner shown. The current, as stated before, enters at the vertical con ductor 0*, marked and leaves at the conductor D, marked On the transverse rods or conductors 0 and D, T-coupliugs K are held, the transverse piece of which is made tubular, and through which the rods or conductors G D pass, the said tubular part being provided with a binding-screw, K, for binding the tubular part on the rods 0 and D The vertical conductors D" are screwed in the downwardly-prejecting shank, as shown in Figs. 16 and 17. The same couplings are used to hold the conductors O 011 the vertical conductors D and for holding the transverse rods C on the standards 0 Like couplings, K, are used to hold the rods D on the ends of the rods D The couplings K held on the vertical conductors D are so arranged that the said conductors can be moved up or down in the tubular part of the T-coupling. The ends of the ropes or belts L are secured to the cathode-conductors D at each end of the same by means of hooks or snaps L, or in any other suitable manner, which ropes or belts pass through eyes If, held on a bar,L*, passing longitudinally over the middle of all the tanks in one section, the ends of which bar are guided in vertical grooves M, formed by vertical strips M, secured to the inner surface of standards M, of which standards M one is arranged at each end of the section. The bar L" is suspended from a. beam or cylinder, l, by a series of ropes or chains, N, provided at their lower ends with loops N screwed on the upwardlyprojecting threaded ends of the spindles of the eyes Lflwhich spindles are held in the desired place 011 the rods L bylock-nuts,whereby the said screw-spindles can be adjusted to project a greater or less distance from the upper surface of the said bar L whereby the conductors D can be adjusted to hang a certain distance below the bars L. The beam, shaft, or roller N is journaled in the standards M, and on one end is mounted a grooved pulley, 0, around which a driving chain or belt,0, passes,which also passes over a pulley, O", pivoted on the outside of one of the standards M, the shaft of the said pulley being provided with a ratchetwheel, Oi, and with a crank, O, with which ratchet-wheel a pawl, 0", engages. Straps P, provided with buckles P, are passed around the conductors O and D, so that when the conductors D are raised the conductors C will be suspended from the same, as is shown in Fig. 3.

In place of straps and buckles, ropes pro vided with adjusting devices can be provided.

In electrolytical processesthat is, where metals are decomposed or separated and deposited by electricity-the elements become polarized,which polarization is'caused by the accumulation of superoxides or oxygen bubbles on the anodes and hydrogen bubbles on the cathodes, and is also caused by an irregular mixture of the solution. This irregular mixture produces solutions of metals of different specific gravity, thereby producing several layers in which each layer forms an ele ment, the element eonsistiugof one part of metal and two of different fluids, and these new elements produce a secondary or polarizing current. The secondary current causes a partial corrosion of the cathode and an irregular decomposition of the anode.

To prevent the above-mentioned polarization of the elements, I have provided means for agitating the liquids, these means consisting of shovels 'or blades K hung on the conductors O, and having their lower wider ends, K bent inward and-downward, as shown in Figs. 9, 10, ll, 12, and 15. The upper end of each agitator or shovel K is connected by a cord, K, with a frame, V, which frame will be described hereinafter. I prefer to use two agitators for each tank or box H, the agitators being arrangedin two diagonallyopposite corners. Each clement-that is,each cathode and each anodeis provided with brushes for brushing thesuri'ace of the same, and thus preventing the accumulation of metals and peroxides and the accumulation of bubbles of oxygen or hydrogen on the elements. The formation of bridges or connections between the electrodes and the formation of projections on the cathodes are thus prevented, and this permits of placing the elements very close to each other withoutany danger of thus forming connections with each other.

The brushes Q are shown in Figs. 24, 25, and 26. They' consist of a series of rubber pins, secured on rubber Q ,f0lll16d around and on a steel band, Q". The brushes are united in pairs, as shown, the bristles or pins facing each other. At their upper ends the brushes of each pair are united by a screwspindle, R, having a right and alei t hand thread, so that by turning the said spindle the upper ends of the brushes will be moved toward or from each other. The upperends of the brushbars are notched to receive grooved blocks B, through which the ends of the screws R pass. The blocks 1% can readily be lifted from the upper ends of the brush-bars with the screws R. I have provided this construction to facilitate the removal of the anodes or cathodes.

If a cathode or anode is to be removed, the blocks R are first withdrawn, and then the cathode or anode can easily be lifted out. The screw R is provided with a disk, 1v, for turning it to adjust the brushes a greater or less distance from each other.

I have shown the construction of the improved brush-adjustiug device in Figs. 24, 25, 26, 30, and 31. Two pairs of brushes are provided for each anode and two for each cathode, so that two brushes will be on each surface of cathode or anode, the brushes being arranged as shown in Figs. 7, 10, and 11. The brushes of the cathodes and anodes are secured near their upper ends to bars or strips S and S by V-shaped clamps S*. provided in their top with a slot for receiving the corresponding brush-bar, which clamps are of such width that a bar, S or if, can be passed through horizontally and a brush vertically, the clamps being each provided with a binding-screw, S, by means of which the brush can be held in the desired position on the bar S or S. The brushes can be shifted on the bar S or S in the direction of the length of the same. The bars S and S are provided at their ends with screws R", provided with right and left hand threaded ends,in the same manner as the screws R, previously described, which screws are used for adjusting the bars of each pair a greater or less distance from each other. The bars S and S are parallel with the cathodes and anodes, and thus are arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis of the tanks H. The ends of the bars S rest in rabbets T, formed in the upper inner edges of the longitudinal bars of a frame, V, and the ends of the bars S rest in rabbets "',lormed in the inner upperedgcs of the longitudinal bars of a frame, V, which is located below the frame V, and is smaller, so that the inner edges of the longitudinal bars of the frame V will be flush with the vertical sides or backs of the rabbets T, formed in the inner edge of the lower smaller frame,V. Ropes \V \V, provided at the ends with hooks \V, pass through the eyes L of the bars L, and by means of the hooks \V the ends of the ropes \V are secured on the longitudinal bars of the upper frames V. Straps a, provided with buckles are passed around the longitudinal bars of the frames V and V; or, in place ofthe straps, other adjusting devices can be used, being of about the same length as the straps P, so that if the frames V are raised the frames V will not be raised with them until the said frames V are a certain distance above the frames V; or, in place of straps, the device shown in Fig. 28 can be used, which consists of bars 3P, passed through the frames V and V, and provided at their lower ends with buttons or heads M, the said bars beingprovided with a series of apertures, m through whichpins m can be passed to support the frames V and V at the desired elevation. Horizontal bars (Z are held in guides d on the inner surfaces of the upper parts of the standards 31 in such a manner that the said bars can slide in the direction of their length. The bars have one end connected by a connecting-rod, 0, with a worm-wheel, c, engaging with a worm, 0*, mounted 011 ashaft, 0, provided with a belt-pulley, 0, over which a drivingbelt, 0*, passes, whereby by revolving the shaft 0 the sliding bars of will be reciprocated. For each section two bars, f, provided at their upper ends with hooks f, are hung on the bar (I, which is provided with notches d in its upper edge, for receiving the hooks. The vertical bars f are united near their upper ends byacross-bar, f". Thelower ends of the vertical bars fare placed through vertical slots or openingsg in the end bars, 9, of the frames V and V, and below the bottom of the lower frame, V, a key, h. is placed through each vertical rod f, and on these keys the bottom frame V rests. In place of the key, a transverse pin or other device may be passed through the barf. The bars f are provided with a series of apertures, through which pins can be passed for holding the brush-frames, and with them the brushes, raised when the brushes are not in use. Fig. 1 shows the frame V of the second battery raised in this manner.

To each standard M a U-shaped frame, It, is pivoted near the upper end in such a manner that the cross-piece of the U shaped frame will be on the outside of the standards, and the barf, uniting the upper ends of the vertical bars f, will rest on the inner end of the shanks of the frame k. A rope or chain, Z, is fastened to the cross-piece of the pivoted frame 7;, and connected with a lever, m, pivoted to the outer surface of the standard M.

To the inner end of the lever m a like rope or chain, Z, is fastened, which passes over a pulley, a, in the standard M, extends along under the trough H, passes over a pulley, n, in the other standard, and then upward to the crosspiece of the frame 7; in the second stand ard. The frames V are provided in their end pieces with hooks 0, adapted to be passed through eyes 1) in the frames V, for coupling the two frames together; or other suitable devices can be provided for holding the two frames together.

By means of the worm and wormwheel above described the bars D are reeiprocated in the direction of their length, and the vertical bars f, suspended from the reciprocating bars (7, will also be reciprocated in the same direction as the bars (I, and will reciprocate the brush-frames V V, suspended from the said bars 1, whereby the brushes will be reciprocatcd parallei th the anodes and cathodes, and will brush the surfaces of the anodes and cathodes, thus keeping them clean. If the elements of any one section are raised out of the tanks H, it is necessary to stop the movements of the brushes. This is accomplished by turning down the levers m, as shownin one section of Fig. 1, whereby the rope I will be drawn downward and the other rope, Z, will 

